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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission Minutes January 14, 2002 Location: 2100 Randolph Road Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:35 p.m. Present: Ms. Tattie Bos/Mayor, HLC Treas., Finance Com. Chr., Projects V.Chr. Mr. Jeff Bradsher/County, HLC Chairman Ms. Deborah Cox/City, Survey Com. Chairman Mr. Bernard Felder/City, Finance Com. V. Chair Ms. Phiderika Foust/County, Projects Committee V. Chair Ms. Amy Gray/City, Design Review Com. Vice-Chairman Mr. Scott Hirsch/City, Design Review Com. Chairman Mr. John Misenheimer/County, HLC V. Chr., Education Com. Chr. Mr. John Parker, III/Mayor, Projects Committee Chairman Ms. Ross Richardson/County, HLC Secretary, Survey Com. V. Chr. Mr. Michael Sullivan/County Dr. Dan L. Morrill, HLC Consulting Director Mr. Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager Ms. Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant
HLC/1-14-2002 Visitors: Ms. Susan Dudley (Designer for Alexander L. James House) Mr. Fred Bolt (Southern Public Utilities Carbarn, Former) Mr. Peter Pappas (Southern Public Utilities Carbarn, Former) Mr. Mark Hahn, Director of Mecklenburg County Real Estate Services Department Absent: None
Item #1 – Approval of Minutes MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER THAT THE MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 10, 2001 BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.
Item #2 – Chairman’s Report: Mr. Bradsher Mr. Bradsher welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that all Commissioners passed the 75% attendance requirement for 2001. He explained that a new attendance cycle began at the first of the year and reminded everyone to notify the office if he or she will not be able to attend a meeting. Mr. Bradsher reported that the Board of County Commissioners will be making nominations on January 15th for Ava Autrey’s replacement and will be making the appointment on February 5th. This means that the new appointee will be eligible to attend the meeting of the Historic Landmarks Commission on February 11th.
HLC/1-14-2002 Mr. Bradsher welcomed Mr. Jim Hinson, the new president of the Mecklenburg Historical Association, to the meeting as ex-officio member of the Commission without a vote. Mr. Bradsher urged Commissioners to become members of the Mecklenburg Historical Association.
Item #3 – Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill Dr. Morrill reported that the Planning Commission has initiated a plan to place the location of all historic landmarks on its INTERNET maps (G.I.S.). Toward this end staff is gathering Universal Transfer Mercator coordinates for all designated historic landmarks. Also, we have advised consultants to place UTM coordinates in all Survey and Research Reports. Dr. Morrill stated that the Comprehensive Genealogical Services, Inc. is requesting that the Historic Landmarks Commission include money in its budget request to continue the inventory of slave burial grounds that that organization is conducting. Staff will be meeting on Thursday with the Commission’s Budget Analyst to complete the FY 2003 Budget Request. Dr. Morrill noted that staff has made contacts with County staff about the prospect of participating in a future bond referendum, so that more money can be placed in its revolving fund. These discussions will continue. Dr. Morrill explained that the County will be upgrading the Commission’s computer system. This will cause some temporary interruptions but should result in a much more efficient operation. Dr. Morrill stated that the Palmer Fire School has been a major issue for staff during the past month. Bryan Turner and I have made Power Point presentations to the Park and Recreation Commission, the Joint Use Task Force of the City and the County, and the Elizabeth Neighborhood Association. All have endorsed the project. A presentation will be made on January 15th to the Planning Committee
HLC/1-14-2002 of the Planning Commission as part of the Mandatory Referral process. Presentation to the Board of County Commissioners will occur in February. Dr. Morrill noted that the issue of the Charlotte Streetcar Barn has also been a major issue during the past month. A preservation strategy has been developed and will be discussed by the Commission later in the meeting. Dr. Morrill explained that Jonathan Wells of the Planning Commission has asked that staff make a presentation to the Joint Use Task Force on the results of the Post-World War Two Survey. Dr. Morrill stated that staff did meet with the Huntersville Planning Director and several interested parties about the prospect of establishing a rural historic district in Huntersville. Talks are on-going. Dr. Morrill noted that the issue of Environmental Review for the South Corridor Light Rail Line did emerge during the past month. A meeting with consultants was scheduled but canceled by the consultant. Staff will keep you informed. Dr. Morrill noted that the Commission has several on-going projects. The Projects are: W. T. Alexander Plantation, McAuley and Oehler Houses, Rozzell House, Grier House, Grier-Rea House, Davis House, Croft Schoolhouse, Rural Hill Schoolhouse, and Palmer Fire School. Dr. Morrill reported that Dr. Paula Stathakis and Mr. Stewart Gray will be using the apartment at the W. T. Alexander Plantation as the office from which they will conduct the African American Survey. Dr. Morrill explained that a potential preservation strategy for the Southern Public Utilities Carbarn (Former), 1424 South Boulevard, had surfaced within the last few days. Under this arrangement the HLC/1-14-2002
Commission would ask the Board of County Commissioners to advance $1.428 million from Land Bank money to enable the HLC to acquire the Southern Public Utilities Carbarn (Former), being more specifically the parcel of land and improvements being offered by Pappas Properties, Inc., with the understanding that the HLC, if necessary, would use proceeds from the sale of Revolving Fund projects to repay the full amount of money withdrawn from the Land Bank Money. Such acquisition would be contingent upon the City’s paying the total cost of renovating the building and performing the site improvements, including necessary parking, to allow the building to become the carbarn for the Charlotte’s vintage trolley line. Lengthy discussion ensued among the Commissioners as all aspects of the proposed preservation strategy were explored. Mr. Peter Pappas and Mr. Fred Bolt were present to answer questions, as was Mr. Mark Hahn, Director of the Real Estate Services Department of Mecklenburg County. MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION REQUEST THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADVANCE $1.428 MILLION FROM LAND BAND MONEY TO ENABLE THE HLC TO ACQUIRE THE SOUTHERN PUBLIC UNTILITIES CARBARN (FORMER) AT 1424 SOUTH BOULEVARD IN CHARLOTTE, N.C., BEING MORE SPECIFICALLY THE PARCEL OF LAND AND IMPROVEMENTS BEING OFFERED BY PAPPAS PROPERTIES, INC., WITH THE STIPULATION THAT THE HLC, IF NECESSARY, WILL USE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF REVOLVING FUND PROJECTS TO REPAY THE FULL AMOUNT OF LAND BANK MONEY ADVANCED TO THE HLC. SUCH ACQUISITION WOULD BE CONTINGENT UPON THE CITY’S PAYING THE TOTAL COST OF RENOVATING THE BUILDING AND PERFORMING THE SITE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING NECESSARY PARKING, TO ALLOW THE BUILDING TO BECOME THE CARBARN FOR CHARLOTTE’S VINTAGE TROLLEY LINE. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MOTION WITH MR. PARKER VOTING IN THE NEGATIVE.
HLC/1-14-2002
Item # 4 – Design Review Committee Report: Mr. Hirsch Mr. Hirsch explained that the Design Review Committee met December 19, 2001, at 5:30 p.m. Minutes are posted on the HLC’s website and are on file at the HLC office along with applications for Certificates of Appropriateness and copies of issued Certificates of Appropriateness. THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE S. W. DAVIS HOUSE, 9132 BOB BEATTY ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROPOSED BARN THAT THE STAFF OF THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION CAN REQUIRE THE OWNERS TO PLANT SCREENING BUSHES OR TREES IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE NEW CONSTRUCTION COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE CROFT SCHOOLHOUSE. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION . THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION.THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED A SECONDED MOTION THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE ALEXANDER L. JAMES HOUSE, 260 CHEROKEE ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., BE APPROVED REGARDING INTERIOR CHANGES TO THE HOUSE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TWO ORIGINAL DOORS LEADING TO THE FAUX CLOSET ARE TO BE LABELED AND STORED IN THE ATTIC; AND THAT THE CHANGES TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE ALEXANDER L. JAMES HOUSE BE APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLANS FOR SUCH CHANGES PRESENTED BY THE APPLICANT TO THE COMMISSION AT ITS MEETING ON JANUARY 14, 2002. THE COMMISSION UANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION. HLC/1-14-2002 Ms. Dunlap was present in support of the Alexander L. James House application. Item # 5 – Education Committee Report: Mr. Misenheimer Mr. Misenheimer reported that the Education Committee would meet on Thursday, January 24, 2002, at 5:30 p.m., at the HLC office. He also asked Mr. Turner whether progress had made during the last month on the Davidson Rural Hill Schoolhouse. Mr. Turner responded in the negative.
Item # 6 – Survey Committee Report: Ms. Cox Ms. Cox reported that the Survey Committee will meet on February 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office to consider the properties for which the Committee will recommend that the HLC pay for the preparation of Survey and Research Reports.
Item # 7 – Projects Committee Report: Mr. Parker Mr. Parker reported that the Projects Committee met January 7, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office. Minutes can be found on the HLC’s website and on file at the HLC office. Discussion ensued regarding alternatives for future developmental scenarios for the W. T. Alexander Plantation. THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE PRESENTED A MOTION THAT MR. DON YELVERTON BE INSTRUCTED TO SUSPEND DESIGN WORK ON THE BARN-LIKE STRUCTURE AT THE W.T. ALEXANDER PLANTATION 214-216 WEST MALLARD CREEK CHURCH ROAD, AND THAT THE COMMISSION SOLICIT PROPOSALS FROM DEVELOPERS TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY AND DEVELOP IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLANS APPROVED BY THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION. THE HLC/1-14-2002 MOTION WAS APPROVED WITH MR. JOHN MISENHEIMER AND MR. SCOTT HIRSCH VOTING IN THE NEGATIVE. Item # 8 – Report on Designated Historic Landmarks: Ms. Cox. Ms. Cox reported that there had been no significant changes in the properties on her list which include 14 properties in First Ward and two properties in the Cherry Community. She expressed concerns about deteriorating conditions of the Treloar House in First Ward and the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Cherry. Mr. Parker left the meeting at this point – 7:23 p.m.
Item # 9 – Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Bos Ms. Bos thanked Mr. Turner for providing the financial information on the various real estate projects of the Commission and stated her willingness to attempt to answer any questions. There were none.
Item # 10 – Old Business Dr. Morrill stated the Comprehensive Genealogical Services, Inc. (CGS) has made two requests to staff. They are: 1) that the HLC include funds for CGS in its FY ‘2003 budget request to the County, and 2) that the HLC endorse an application for a matching grant from the North Carolina Division of Archives and History for CGS. MR. HIRSCH PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. FOUST THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION INCLUDE $50,000 IN ITS FY’ 2003 BUDGET REQUEST TO THE COUNTY, $35,000 TO BE ALLOCATED TO CGS AND $15,000 TO BE USED AS A LOCAL MATCH FOR A SURVEY GRANT FOR CENTER CITY RESOURCES TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE HLC TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY. THE MOTION HLC/1-14-2002 WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION.
Item # 11 – New Business Dr. Morrill explained that the Catawba Lands Conservancy has requested that the HLC endorse the County’s purchase of a 70-acre parcel in the Gar Creek Basin, a portion of which is immediately adjacent to the McCoy Slave Cemetery. MS. COX PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION ENDORSE THE COUNTY’S PURCHASE OF A 70-ACRE PARCEL IN THE GAR CREEK BASIN, A PORTION OF WHICH IS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE McCOY SLAVE CEMETERY, AND THAT THE HLC SEND A LETTER TO THE CATAWBA LANDS CONSERVANCY NOTIFYING THAT AGENCY OF THIS ENDORSEMENT. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION. MS. BOS PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. RICHARDSON THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION PAY DUES OF $25.00 FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE LOCAL HISTORY CONSORTIUM. THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M.
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